Thank you for the links. I wish that all discussions and debates on this forum would rely on the facts and the appropriate consideration of the facts rather than emotion. I'm still not completely ok with the verdict; although I understand it, my sense of justice isn't satiated by it. Thanks again.
Posts by DJS
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4Awesome video on the facts of the Zimmerman trial
by bohm in.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bf-ax5e8ejc.
(does anyone else think the guy talk like steven pinker?
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5
I need a change.
by Defianttruth ini am thinking of renting a house in europe from nov 2013 to feb 2014. any suggestions?
i am leaning to the south of france.
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DJS
The S. of France is beautiful. Heck, the entire country is gorgeous. I spent a week in the S. of France last fall, on the Mediterranian. Go for it.
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DJS
If GZ did not pursue/confront Trayvon and did not ignore the E-911 direction, then I am mistaken. These were reported as facts; I did not closely follow the case in the news but don't remember hearing that these 2 issues were not correct.
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DJS
I am a bit surprised, as I thought manslaughter was the fair charge. I belive there is enough evidence for that, but the comments regarding the prosecution are correct. They acted despicably, intentionally withholding evidence and trying for a murder 2 conviction when it was clear that this was nothing but politicallly motivated.
Still, Zimmerman had a chance to avoid the confrontation, didn't follow the E-911 operator's direction to not become involved, confronted Trayvon and used deadly force when he could have made a different decision. To me those were the compelling bits of evidence against him. I feel for Trayon's family; it does not appear that justice was fully served.
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Conspiracy Theorists Vindicated?
by metatron inhttp://www.blacklistednews.com/new_studies%3a_%e2%80%98conspiracy_theorists%e2%80%99_sane%3b_government_dupes_crazy%2c_hostile/27293/0/38/38/y/m.html.
actually, i think creating conspiracies is one of the primary products of modern government.
if citizens aren't responsible and involved enough, then crafted lies follow.. .
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DJS
The assertion that as citizens we should remain open minded and employ a healthy degree of skepticism regarding anything the government or for that matter any large institution tells us is correct. But that is a mutually exclusive argument not attached to whether the conspirance theorists have it right.
As I mentioned in my openeing greeting, I have lived an interesting life the past 20 years post JW world. One path this journey has taken me is working with national security and with many individuals tasked with making national security policy, protecting the president, individuals working in counter and anti-terrorist capacities, etc. So I know a bit more about a lot of these subjects than average.
Trust me, our government isn't smart enough to create, carry out, spin control and cover up some of these conspiracies. I recommend reading Against All Enimies: Inside America's Ware on Terror by Richard Clarke. He is (from Wikipedia) the former National Coordinator for Security, Infrastructure Protection, and Counter-terrorism for the United States. Clarke worked for the State Department during the presidency of Ronald Reagan. In 1992, President George H.W. Bush appointed him to chair the Counter-terrorism Security Group and to a seat on the United States National Security Council. President Bill Clinton retained Clarke and in 1998 promoted him to be the National Coordinator for Security, Infrastructure Protection, and Counter-terrorism, the chief counter-terrorism adviser on the National Security Council. Under President George W. Bush, Clarke initially continued in the same position, but the position was no longer given cabinet-level access. He later became the Special Advisor to the President on cybersecurity, before leaving the Bush administration in 2003,
One of the chapters in his books addresses conspirancy theorists, and he essentially states what I did above. The government simply isn't that creative or bright. There are also other very well reserched books that dissect various conspiracy theories. But I learned a long time ago that conspiracy theorists are similar to those with strong religious or political views; it is best to leave them with their beliefs and walk away.
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Complete Donation What Happened?
by Marvin Shilmer incomplete donation what happened?.
today i added a new article to my blog showing part of a never before publicized letter where the watchtower organization makes admission of how jehovahs witnesses actually responded to the 1990 change to its complete donation arrangement.
my article is titled complete donation what happened?
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DJS
The "policy" about carrying an envelope with us in FS so that we could place the HH's $ in it is one of the factors that led (drove) me out of the Borg. I thought it ludicrous and respulsive. And didn't keep my thoughts to myself.
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Are You Interested In Religion Of Any Sort At This Point In Your Life?
by minimus inpersonally, i respect that everyone has choices to believe whatever they want to believe.
i have no interest in joining another religion....what about you?.
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DJS
Religion is no longer needed IMHO. And no, I will never be involved with it again. I don't mean to be mean or arrogant, but religion is an un-evolved state. As humans we are capable of evolving past the need to "need' religion to make us better, make us feel better or give us meaning in life. Or make us behave and do the right things. As I see it the more we need religion or a higher power to make us behave or be decent, the weaker and less evolved we are. Believing, especially as it is associated with religion, is one very small step up from reaction, feeling and emotions (a lack of impulse control), which makes us more akin to our lower primate friends than it does to the potential held out in our DNA.
But as long as we think that we need a Jesus to carry us on the beach when we are tired or give us the strength to quit smoking, drinking, lying, cheating, gambling, blah blah blah, etc., etc., etc., we will never evolve as a species.
A sense of community and belongingness? Perhaps that may make it relevant to some, but there are other options available. For those who have come out of a high control group, such as the JWs, it pains me to see them continue to 'search' for something that they rationally and intelligently should know isn't there. Turning to another 'spin' in order to make an imaginary creature llike me and maybe reward me in the future is, well, bizarre.
I just ended a long term relationship with someone I still love, but she has some self control issues that I can no longer live with. She has turned back to church to make her behave, because she can't seem to do it on her own. I find that extremely weak. Sorry, don't mean to be mean or offend.
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New member!!
by Viva la Vida inthis is my first post even thou ive been lurking for some time.
i was raised in as a jw, and im still in because of my family.
since waking up i found meetings, assemblies and fs stressing and thought writing in here might be therapeutic.
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DJS
Good luck with changing anything or anyone from within; it is lilkely to cause you more problems than you can ever imagine, and the congregation overlords (elders) will quickly 're-direct' those you are attempting to help.
I'm not saying it won't work, but the chances are extremely small. One reason I became disillusioned as an elder is because I naievely thought I could lighten the load and affect some change, even minor, from within. Didn't work. Not likely to work with you either. You would be better served quietly exiting with you and yours.
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New member!!
by Viva la Vida inthis is my first post even thou ive been lurking for some time.
i was raised in as a jw, and im still in because of my family.
since waking up i found meetings, assemblies and fs stressing and thought writing in here might be therapeutic.
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DJS
Welcome to the forum,
You have been given some great advice. Faking it until you can safey make it out on your terms is the best, that is if you can stand faking it that long. Good luck!
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Former Long Time Elder: Why I am still in
by James Jackson ina customer on my route with whom i have had some lively debates was his number 1 complaint is that "the witnesses have so many rules".
last month i agreed with on this issue.
he asked why the change, i told him that i have been doing some soul searching.
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DJS
I would suggest reading the previous untitled post regarding whether you need a religion to raise your child with ethics and morals.